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Effects of Different Types of Curing on Strength

of Concrete

Article · February 2016

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 ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print) : 2347-6710

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly Peer Reviewed Journal)

Vol. 5, Issue 2, February 2016

Effects of Different Types of Curing on

Strength of Concrete
Gokul. T1, Arun. M2, Arunachalam. N3
PG Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, India1
Assistant Professor – Senior Grade, Department of Civil Engineering, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology,
Sathyamangalam, India2
Professor and Dean, Department of Civil Engineering, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam,
India3

ABSTRACT: This experimental work was carried out to investigate the effect of concrete strength in terms of
compressive and split tensile strength for M20 grade of normal strength concrete and M40 grade of medium
strength concrete as per 10262:1999 by adopting Immersion curing, Wet gunny bags curing and Accelerated warm
water curing as per IS 9013:1978. Traditionally, quality of concrete in construction works is calculated in terms of its
28 days compressive strength . This procedur e requires 28 days of moist curing before testing, which is too long a
period to be of any value for either concrete construction control or applying timely corrective measures. What is
essentially needed for assessing quality of controlled concrete is an acceptance test which can supply results,
within about 24 hours after casting. With the assistance of reliable test methods employing accelerated curing
techniques, it is now possible to test the compressive strength of concrete within a short period and thereby the test
results of compressive strength and split tensile strength having good agreement with the specified strength at
28 days. The results of the investigations demonstrate that superior strength is achieved by Immersion curing than the
other two types of curing. But the strength achieved in Accelerated curing within 24 hours is nearby to Immersion
curing. So, Accelerated curing can be used for curing , also it is very much useful in prefabrication industry.

KEYWORDS: Accelerated warm water curing, Normal strength concrete, Medium strength concrete, Split tensile
strength, Compressive Strength and Wet gunny bags

I. INTRODUCTION

Concrete is a construction material which has been widely used in construction industry. Curing is the process in
which the concrete is protected from loss of moisture and kept within a reasonable temperature range. This process
results in concrete with increased strength and decreased permeability. Curing is also a key player in mitigating cracks.
Traditionally, quality of concrete in construction works is calculated in terms of its 28 days compressive strength. . If
after 28 days, the quality of concrete is found to be dubious, it would have considerably hardened by that time and also
might have been buried by subsequent construction. The need for having a reliable and fast method for evaluating
controlled concrete in the field using accelerated curing technique was recognized by Cement and Concrete Sectional
Committee and further the Committee decided to evolve a standard method of determining the strength of concrete
cured by accelerated curing methods. Accelerated curing is any method by which high early age strength is achieved
in concrete. These techniques are especially useful in the prefabrication industry, wherein high early age strength
enables the removal of the formwork within 24 hours, thereby reducing the cycle time, resulting in cost-saving benefits.

Copyright to IJIRSET DOI:10.15680/IJIRSET.2016.0502091 1643

 ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print) : 2347-6710

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly Peer Reviewed Journal)

Vol. 5, Issue 2, February 2016

II. MATERIAL TEST RESULTS

Table 1: Material test results

Test Description Results

Specific Gravity of Cement 3.15

Fineness of Cement 3%

Consistency of Cement 30%

Initial setting time of Cement 37 minutes

Final setting time of Cement 5 hours 45 minutes

Specific Gravity of Fine aggregate 2.68

Loose Bulk density of Fine aggregate 1480 kg/m3

Rodded Bulk Density of Fine aggregate 1635 kg/m3

Specific Gravity of Coarse aggregate 2.71

Loose Bulk density of Coarse aggregate 1450 kg/m3

Rodded Bulk Density of Coarse aggregate 1700 kg/m3

III. MIX PROPORTION

Silica fume, also known as microsilica is an amorphous polymorph of silicon dioxide, silica. It is an ultrafine powder
collected as a by-product of the silicon and ferrosilicon alloy production and consists of spherical particles with an
average particle diameter of 150 nm. The bulk density of silica fume depends on the degree of densification in the silo
and varies from 130 (undensified) to 600 kg/m3. The specific gravity of silica fume is generally in the range of 2.2 to
2.3.

Conplast SP430 : For this experimental work, a super plasticizer by the name CONPLAST SP430 has been used for
obtaining workable concrete at low w/b ratio. CONPLAST SP430 complies with BIS: 9103-1999 and BS: 5075-part3
and ASTM C494. Super plasticizer molecules and cement grains are oppositely charged and hence repel each other.
This increases the mobility and hence makes the concrete flow. Super plasticizers enable savings in cement for a given
strength and ideal for pumping concrete, casting heavily reinforced concrete members, and the precast elements of
concrete.

Copyright to IJIRSET DOI:10.15680/IJIRSET.2016.0502091 1644

 ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print) : 2347-6710

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly Peer Reviewed Journal)

Vol. 5, Issue 2, February 2016

Table 2: Mix Proportion

Fine Coarse Super

Mix Cement Silica fume Water
aggregate aggregate plasticizer

M20 1 - 1.58 2.51 0.45 -

M40 1 0.1 1.9 3.16 0.36 0.02

IV. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

After the specimens have been made, they shall be left to stand undisturbed in their moulds in a place free from
vibration at a temperature of 27+ 2oC for at least one hour, prior to immersion in the curing tank. The time between
the addition of water to the ingredients and immersion of the test specimens in the curing tank shall be at least 1hour
30 minutes but shall not exceed 3hour and 30 minutes.
The specimen in their moulds shall be gently lowered into the curing tank and shall remain totally immersed at
55+ 2oC for a period of not less than 19 hours 50 minutes. The specimens shall be removed from the water, marked
for identification, removed from the moulds and immersed in the cooling tank at 27+ 2oC before the completion of 20
hours 10 minutes from the start of immersion in the curing tank. They shall remain in the cooling tank for a period of
not less than 1 hour. After that the specimens shall be tested while still wet, not more than 2 hours from the time of
immersion in the cooling tank.

V. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

In this experimental work a total number of 42 cubes and 42 cylinders were cast and tested. Out of these, 36
cubes and 36 cylinders were tested for Immersion curing and wet gunny bags curing respectively. Out of which,18
cubes and 18 cylinders were cast and tested for normal strength of concrete(M20) and medium strength of
concrete(M40) through Immersion and wet gunny bags curing method. Remaining 6 cubes and 6 cylinders were tested
for Accelerated warm water curing method.

Table 3: Test Result for Compressive Strength

Accelerated
Curing methods Immersion curing(N/mm2) Wet gunny bag curing (N/mm2) curing
(N/mm2)
Curing
7 14 28 7 14 28 1
(in days)
Grade of M20 13.88 18.67 24.6 12.5 17.7 23.2 22.43
concrete M40 26.83 33.83 43.6 25.56 32.2 41.3 40.7

Copyright to IJIRSET DOI:10.15680/IJIRSET.2016.0502091 1645

 ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print) : 2347-6710

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly Peer Reviewed Journal)

Vol. 5, Issue 2, February 2016

Fig 1:Effect of three types of curing on compressive strength of concrete for M20 grade of concrete

From Figure 1, it can be concluded that the compressive strength of concrete cubes by Immersion curing method was
achieved that 56.42% and 74.8% of 28 days strength at 7 days and 14 days respectively for M20 grade of concrete. The
compressive strength of concrete cubes by wet gunny bags curing method wa s achieved that 53.8% and 76.2% of
28 days strength at 7 days and 14 days respectively for M20 grade of concrete.

Fig 2:Effect of three types of curing on compressive strength of concrete for M40 grade of concrete

From Figure 2, it can be concluded that the compressive strength of concrete cubes by immersion curing method was
achieved that 61.5% and 77.5% of 28 days strength at 7 days and 14 days respectively for M40 grade of concrete. The
compressive strength of concrete cubes by Wet gunny bags curing method was achieved that 61.8% and 77.8% of 28
days strength at 7 days and 14 days respectively for M40 grade of concrete.
From the test results it was observed that the compressive strength of concrete by Immersion curing method yield
maximum strength when compared to the other curing methods. Since, the Immersion curing method can’t be
directly applied in practice it is reliable to compare with only wet gunny bags curing method. The results indicate that
the strength of concrete obtained from Wet gunny bags curing was 1.03% and 1.01% higher than Accelerated
curing and 1.06% and 1.05% lesser than results obtained from Immersion curing for M20 and M40 grade of
concrete respectively.

Copyright to IJIRSET DOI:10.15680/IJIRSET.2016.0502091 1646

 ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print) : 2347-6710

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly Peer Reviewed Journal)

Vol. 5, Issue 2, February 2016

Table 4: Test Result for Split Tensile Strength

Accelerated
Curing methods Immersion curing(N/mm2) Wet gunny bag curing (N/mm2) curing
(N/mm2)

Curing
7 14 28 7 14 28 1
(in days)

M20 0.87 1.26 1.63 0.71 1.16 1.54 1.51

Grade of
concrete
M40 1.61 1.95 2.47 1.49 1.82 2.35 2.28

Fig 3: Effect of three types of curing on split tensile strength of concrete for M20 grade of concrete

From Figure 3, it can be concluded that the split tensile strength of concrete cylinders by Immersion curing method was
achieved that 53% and 77.3% of 28 days strength at 7 days and 14 days respectively for M20 grade of concrete. The
compressive strength of concrete cubes by wet gunny bags curing method wa s achieved that 46% and 75.3% of
28 days strength at 7 days and 14 days respectively After 28 days it was seen that the strength achieved by
Immersion curing and Accelerated curing was 1.06% higher and 0.98% lesser than Wet gunny bag curing respectively
for M20 grade of concrete.

Copyright to IJIRSET DOI:10.15680/IJIRSET.2016.0502091 1647

 ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print) : 2347-6710

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly Peer Reviewed Journal)

Vol. 5, Issue 2, February 2016

Fig 4: Effect of three types of curing on split tensile strength of concrete for M40 grade of concrete

From Figure 4, it can be concluded that the split tensile strength of concrete cylinders by Immersion curing method was
achieved that 65.2% and 78.9% of 28 days strength at 7 days and 14 days respectively for M20 grade of concrete. The
compressive strength of concrete cubes by wet gunny bags curing method wa s achieved that 63.4% and 77.4% of
28 days strength at 7 days and 14 days respectively .After 28 days it was seen that the strength achieved by
Immersion curing and Accelerated curing was 1.05% higher and 0.97% lesser than Wet gunny bag curing respectively
for M40 grade of concrete.

VI. CONCLUSION

In this experimental work a total number of 42 cubes and 42 cylinders were cast and tested. Out of these, 36
cubes and 36 cylinders were tested for Immersion curing and wet gunny bags curing respectively. Out of which,18
cubes and 18 cylinders were cast and tested for normal strength of concrete(M20) and medium strength of
concrete(M40) through Immersion and wet gunny bags curing method. Remaining 6 cubes and 6 cylinders were tested
for Accelerated warm water curing method

a. From the experimental test results the following conclusions were made,
II. The Immersion curing and Wet gunny bag curing attained an average compressive strength of 24.6 N/mm2 and
23.2 N/mm2 respectively for M20 grade of concrete at the age of 28 days. At same age, the Immersion curing
and Wet gunny bag curing attained an average compressive strength of 43.6 N/mm2 and 41.3 N/mm2
respectively for M40 grade of concrete.
III. At the age of 28 days by Immersion curing and Wet gunny bag curing attained an average split tensile strength
of 1.63 N/mm2 and 1.54 N/mm2 respectively for M20 grade of concrete. In case of M40 grade the average
split tensile strength of 2.47N/mm2 by Immersion curing and 2.35 N/mm2 by Wet gunny bags curing
respectively.
IV. The average compressive strength of concrete cubes with Accelerated warm water curing method equivalent
to 28 days was found to be 22.43 N/mm2 for M20 grade
V. The average compressive strength of concrete cubes with Accelerated warm water curing method was 40.7
N/mm2 for M40 grade of concrete.
VI. The average split tensile strength of cylinder specimens by Accelerated warm water curing method which is
equal to 28 days of curing was calculated as 1.51 N/mm2 for M20 grade of concrete.
VII. The average split tensile strength of cylinder specimens by Accelerated warm water curing method was 2.28
N/mm2 for M40 grade of concrete.

Copyright to IJIRSET DOI:10.15680/IJIRSET.2016.0502091 1648

 ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print) : 2347-6710

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly Peer Reviewed Journal)

Vol. 5, Issue 2, February 2016

VIII. From the experimental values it can be concluded that the optimum strength of concrete for compressive and
split tensile strength was achieved by adopting immersion curing method for both normal and medium
strength concrete.
IX. But as immersion curing is not practically possible the strength is being compared with Wet gunny bags curing
which is practically done in the site.
X. The variation in average compressive strength of concrete for a normal strength of M20 grade by Immersion
curing was observed to be 1.06% higher than Wet gunny bags curing. The results of Accelerated curing was
found to be 0.96% lesser than Wet gunny bags curing. The variations in average split tensile strength by
Immersion curing was observed to be 1.06% higher and by Accelerated curing 0.98% lesser when compared
with Wet gunny bags curing method.
XI. The variation in average compressive strength of concrete for a medium strength of concrete of M40 by
Immersion curing was observed to be 1.06% higher than Wet gunny bags curing and by Accelerated curing it
was 0.98% lesser than Wet gunny bags curing. The variations in average split tensile strength by Immersion
curing was observed to be 1.05% higher and by Accelerated curing 0.97% lesser when compared with Wet
gunny bags curing method.
XII. Though M20 and M40 grade of concrete results in lesser percentage by Accelerated warm water method of
curing compared to Wet gunny bag curing method, the results obtained by this Accelerated warm water
method was higher than 1.12% and 1.02% of required value for both M20 and M40 grade of concrete.
XIII. Since the variation in results, while compared to all three methods of curing are very close to the actual value
and also the result of Accelerated warm water method of curing can be obtained within 24 hours, it is strongly
recommended to use in prefabrication industry to obtain quick results and reduce the expenses.

REFERENCES

[1] Ajay Goel, JyotiNarwal, VivekVerma, Devender Sharma and Bhupinder Singh , “A Comparative Study on the Effect of Curing on the Strength
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August 2013.
[2] Akeem Ayinde Raheem , Aliu Adebayo Soyingbe and Amaka John Emenike,, “Effect of Curing Methods on Density and Compressive Strength of
Concrete”,International Journal of Applied Science and Technology, Vol. 3 Issue - 4, 2013.
[3] Denny Meyer, “A Statistical Comparison Of Accelerated Concrete Testing Methods”,Journal of Applied Mathematics & Decision Sciences, vol.
1, Issue-.2, pp 89-100 ,1997.
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[7] Safiuddin , Raman S. N, and. Zain, M , “Effect of Different Curing Methods on the Properties of Microsilica Concrete”,,Australian Journal of
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[8] Ali H. Hameed , “The effect of curing condition on compressive strength in high strength concrete”, ISSN 1999-8716 Vol. 02 ,pp. 35-42,2009.
[9] Krishna Reddy,K.V., “A comparative study on methods of curing concrete influence of humidity”, International Journal of Engineering
Research and Applications (IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622 Vol. 3, Issue 3, pp.1161-1165, May-Jun 2013.
[10] IS 10262:2009 Concrete mix proportioning – guidelines.
[11] James ,O, Ndoke, P.N., and. Kolo , S.S ., “Effect of different curing methods on the compressive strength of concrete”, International Journal of
Engineering and Advanced Technology (IJEAT) ISSN: 2249 – 8958, Volume-2, Issue-6, August -2013.

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